
Dennis J Johnson
Dennis J. Johnson, beloved spouse of artist manager Fletcher Foster, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2019 after complications from a brave four-year battle with multiple myeloma. Through it all, he never lost his kind spirit, sweet smile and attention to detail. He was 62.
Dennis was born on November 24, 1956, to Garnes and Phyllis Johnson from Arcadia, California. He attended Arcadia High School, where he played the clarinet as a member of the Arcadia Apache Marching Band. This is where his love for marching band competitions began and as a teenager he marched in the Pasadena Rose Parade.
Dennis attended Pasadena City College, receiving an Associates of Arts degree in Design. He also attended Cal Poly in Pomona, California receiving a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with an emphasis in Advertising.
Dennis began his career in brand design only to move on to his dream job with the Walt Disney Company, working at Disneyland with many Fortune 500 companies. During that time, he met his life partner and future husband Fletcher Foster. He later worked at Miss Universe Pageant and in 1995 he moved to Nashville. His love of theme parks led him to work at Universal Studios Entertainment complex in Orlando, Florida as Vice President of Brand Development.
Dennis left the entertainment world to pursue his own home décor, design, manufacturing and distribution company. He created products found at Target, Belk, Coldwater Creek and boutique shops.
He also paralleled his love of homes by pursuing a career in residential real estate. Dennis was the recipient of the Silver Award of Excellence from the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors honoring significant achievement in real estate sales and salesmanship.
Dennis enjoyed music, art, film, skiing, tennis and football. His love of travel took him throughout the world to places such as Jerusalem, Palestine, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, Europe and Africa.
Being influenced by his travel with Fletcher, it inspired his creativity for home design—building two homes with Fletcher. He wanted their home to be as comfortable for guests as it was for them. He would focus on every detail. Entertaining and sharing their home with others for charitable events was also important. He loved to give back and share with others.
On August 1st, 2019 Dennis fulfilled his dream of marrying his best friend and love of thirty years, Fletcher.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Garnes and Phyllis Johnson. He is survived by his husband Fletcher, his siblings Jerry Johnson (Linda) and Judy Hopkins (Dale), nieces Deanna, Kimi, Britney, Ashley, and Nicole…and his two furry companions Mason and Zach.
A celebration of his life is being planned in Nashville and California for friends and family.
SMACK Promotes Robin Palmer To Chief Creative Officer
/by Jessica NicholsonRobin Palmer
SMACK’s Robin Palmer has been promoted to Chief Creative Officer, where she will oversee and help grow SMACK’s songwriter roster, offering a vision for the company’s publishing strategy, identifying new talent and nurturing writers.
Texas native Palmer began her career in 1983 after graduating from Middle Tennessee State University. Prior to working at SMACK, she worked at publishing companies including The Writers Group, EMI Music Publishing, and Froehlig Palmer Music. In 2008, Palmer began a working relationship with Shane McAnally, which evolved into SMACK Songs.
McAnally says, “There wouldn’t be a SMACK without Robin Palmer. Her incredible gift of developing songwriters and recognizing diamonds in the rough is what this company is built on. The privilege of working beside her over the past decade has changed my life and I am so excited for her to expand her creative reach.”
“When Shane and I first started working together, we didn’t know what a little dream could grow into,” says Palmer. “I’m so thankful for Shane, Josh (Osborne), Michael (McAnally Baum) and this talented SMACK team for continuing to trust me with these amazing songs and songwriters. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.”
Dennis J. Johnson, Beloved Spouse Of Artist Manager Fletcher Foster, Passes
/by Jessica NicholsonDennis J Johnson
Dennis J. Johnson, beloved spouse of artist manager Fletcher Foster, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2019 after complications from a brave four-year battle with multiple myeloma. Through it all, he never lost his kind spirit, sweet smile and attention to detail. He was 62.
Dennis was born on November 24, 1956, to Garnes and Phyllis Johnson from Arcadia, California. He attended Arcadia High School, where he played the clarinet as a member of the Arcadia Apache Marching Band. This is where his love for marching band competitions began and as a teenager he marched in the Pasadena Rose Parade.
Dennis attended Pasadena City College, receiving an Associates of Arts degree in Design. He also attended Cal Poly in Pomona, California receiving a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with an emphasis in Advertising.
Dennis began his career in brand design only to move on to his dream job with the Walt Disney Company, working at Disneyland with many Fortune 500 companies. During that time, he met his life partner and future husband Fletcher Foster. He later worked at Miss Universe Pageant and in 1995 he moved to Nashville. His love of theme parks led him to work at Universal Studios Entertainment complex in Orlando, Florida as Vice President of Brand Development.
Dennis left the entertainment world to pursue his own home décor, design, manufacturing and distribution company. He created products found at Target, Belk, Coldwater Creek and boutique shops.
He also paralleled his love of homes by pursuing a career in residential real estate. Dennis was the recipient of the Silver Award of Excellence from the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors honoring significant achievement in real estate sales and salesmanship.
Dennis enjoyed music, art, film, skiing, tennis and football. His love of travel took him throughout the world to places such as Jerusalem, Palestine, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, Europe and Africa.
Being influenced by his travel with Fletcher, it inspired his creativity for home design—building two homes with Fletcher. He wanted their home to be as comfortable for guests as it was for them. He would focus on every detail. Entertaining and sharing their home with others for charitable events was also important. He loved to give back and share with others.
On August 1st, 2019 Dennis fulfilled his dream of marrying his best friend and love of thirty years, Fletcher.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Garnes and Phyllis Johnson. He is survived by his husband Fletcher, his siblings Jerry Johnson (Linda) and Judy Hopkins (Dale), nieces Deanna, Kimi, Britney, Ashley, and Nicole…and his two furry companions Mason and Zach.
A celebration of his life is being planned in Nashville and California for friends and family.
Third Man Records Releases ‘Striped: The Story Of The White Stripes’ Podcast
/by Alex ParryThird Man Records released the first two episodes of Season One of its new podcast Striped: The Story Of The White Stripes, hosted by Sean Cannon. In season one, music journalist Cannon takes you through the early years of The White Stripes by talking to the people who witnessed it firsthand — from a young Jack White practicing loudly in his attic, to The White Stripes wowing their tourmates Pavement in late 1999. You’ll hear from members of The MC5, Pavement, The Raconteurs, The Detroit Cobras, The Dirtbombs, The Soledad Brothers, filmmaker Lance Bangs, and more.
“Lately I’ve been afraid of getting in a car crash and having my last dying words be ‘shit, I really should’ve gotten the White Stripes story down for posterity,’” Third Man co-founder and White Stripes archivist Ben Blackwell said. “This is my attempt to avail myself to somewhat less lame last words.”
You can listen to the first two episodes via Apple Podcast.
Adam Doleac Signs With Arista Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (seated, L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s Chairman/CEO, Randy Goodman; SMN’s Director A&R, Margaret Tomlin; Adam Doleac; Lightcave Entertainment’s Eric Garcia, WME’s Sloane Logue. (Standing, L-R): SMN’s Sr. Director Marketing, Liz Cost; and SMN’s VP Digital Strategy, Ed Rivadavia; WME’s Brian Jones; SMN’s SVP Sales/Streaming, Caryl Atwood; SMN’s COO/EVP, Ken Robold; SMN’s SVP Legal/Business Affairs, Angie Magill; SMN’s EVP Promotion/Artist Development, Steve Hodges; Arista Nashville VP Promotion, Josh Easler. Photo: Alan Poizner
Sony Music Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Adam Doleac to the Arista Nashville imprint. Doleac’s “Famous,” which he co-wrote with Andy Skib and Bobby Hamrick, will officially ship to country radio as his first Arista Nashville single on Dec. 16.
Doleac moved from his native Mississippi to Nashville in 2010, and later signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Besides penning the majority of his own music, Doleac co-wrote the track “Don’t,” which was featured on Darius Rucker’s album For The Last Time.
ET Brown, Lydia Schultz Promoted At SESAC
/by Jessica NicholsonET Brown, Lydia Schultz
SESAC has promoted ET Brown and Lydia Schultz, who will share dual management roles leading SESAC’s Nashville Creative Services department. Brown and Schultz have each been promoted to Sr. Director, Creative Services. In their new roles, they will work closely with President and COO, Kelli Turner, who’s based in Nashville, and report to Sam Kling, SVP of Creative Operations.
The move follows the exit of former SESAC VP, Creative Services Shannan Hatch, who recently joined music publishing outfit Fourward Music as President.
In his expanded role, Brown will manage SESAC Pop/Rock and Americana genres. In addition, Brown will lead the efforts of identifying and cultivating new talent while working closely with industry organizations to develop opportunities that bring value to SESAC songwriters and publishers.
Schultz will manage the country genre in Nashville while providing support and guidance to existing affiliates as well as discovering new talent in the songwriting community. Schultz will continue to generate and maintain long-standing relationships within the industry while developing new songwriter initiatives.
“I’m proud to announce the respective promotions of both ET and Lydia,” says Kling. “As a team, both ET and Lydia have worked seamlessly to ensure second-to-none service to the songwriting community over the years. Their passion for music and complementary skill sets, along with their close-knit relationships, only reinforces why they are best suited to lead the Nashville Creative Services team.”
Brown joined SESAC’s licensing team in 2009 quickly moving to the Creative Team in 2010. He has worked closely with Skid Row, Nothing More, Blackstone Cherry, Killswitch Engage, as well as Americana greats Margo Price, Jim Lauderdale, Webb Wilder, Hayes Carll, and Ray Wylie Hubbard. His deep admiration for the craft of songwriting has been instrumental in curating and participating in events throughout the community including the Nashville Film Festival, GRAMMY Next, and TONS. Brown is a graduate of Belmont University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in the Music Business program. He is a member of the Americana Association, AIMP, CMA, ACM and the Recording Academy.
Schultz joined the SESAC Creative Services team in 2016. Since then, she has supported SESAC affiliates Blanco Brown, Matt McGinn, Michael Whitworth, Erin Enderlin, Jenny Tolman and many more. She has curated SESAC’s monthly Bluebird Show, SESAC CMA acoustic shows, as well as songwriter events in the Southeast region. Schultz is continually offering feedback on music and guidance on developing artists and songwriters. Prior to her time with SESAC, she worked for Magic Mustang Music as Creative Director; Broken Bow in their legal and finance department; and assisted songwriting legend JD Souther. Schultz graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Music Business program. She has participated in SOLID, GRAMMY NEXT and is a member of the Americana Association, AIMP, CMA, ACM and the Recording Academy.
Keith Urban Announces First Official European Tour In Over A Decade
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban is heading overseas for his first official European tour in more than a decade next Spring, titled Keith Urban Live. The tour kicks off May 2 in Amsterdam and will include stops in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, as well as four stops in the UK.
Urban is celebrating his 40th Top 10 single with his latest hit “We Were.” The song was co-written by Eric Church, Ryan Tyndell and Jeff Hyde.
Keith Urban Live Tour European dates:
May 2: Amsterdam
May 5: London
May 8: Manchester
May 12: Glasgow
May 14: Birmingham
May 20: Munich
May 22: Frankfurt
May 23: Cologne
May 25: Hamburg
May 26: Berlin
May 29: Copenhagen
May 30: Stockholm
May 31: Oslo
Morgan Wallen To Launch Whiskey Glasses Roadshow Tour
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“This year so far, I’ve mostly played shows as the opening act. While I love that, and appreciate everyone who’s made that possible, I’m ready to get into rooms where I know the energy will all be directed towards our music and our production,” shares Wallen. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to headline, so I can’t wait to see some of the same faces I’ve gotten to know from before and get to know a bunch of new ones. I know it’s going to be the best one yet. Jon is one of my good buddies and has his own star rising, so I’m super pumped he accepted the offer to come out. Ashland is a new talent, one that most aren’t familiar with yet, but that will change soon. So I ask y’all to show up early and show both of them love. You won’t be disappointed.”
Pre-sales for tickets begin October 14 and will go on-sale to the general public October 18. As 2019 winds down, Wallen’s heartbreaker “Chasin’ You,” is making gains at country radio and he joins Luke Combs’ sold-out Beer Never Broke My Heart tour.
MONSTER ENERGY OUTBREAK TOUR PRESENTS: MORGAN WALLEN’S WHISKEY GLASSES ROADSHOW Tour Dates:
January 2 | Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
January 3 | Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
January 4 | Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre
January 9 | New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore
January 10 | Houston, TX – House of Blues
January 11 | Irving, TX – Toyota Music Factory
January 16 | Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
January 17 | Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room
January 18 | Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
March 19 | Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
March 20 | Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
March 21 | North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
April 9 | Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
April 11 | Boston, MA – House of Blues
April 17 | Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
April 23 | San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
April 29 | Boise, ID – Revolution Concert House
April 30 | Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
May 1 | Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
Curb/Word Entertainment Promotes Colt Murski To Publishing VP Role
/by Jessica NicholsonColt Murski
Curb | Word Entertainment has promoted Colt Murski to VP, Country Publishing & Creative. Murski is a Texas native, a graduate of Belmont University and has been with the company since 2005, most recently serving as Senior Creative Director.
His responsibilities include overseeing the creative operations of the country roster that includes American Young, Rodney Atkins, Ruthie Collins, Tim Dugger, Jackson Michelson, Mo Pitney, Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Jason Blaine, Brian Bunn, Jennifer Denmark, Hannah Ellis, Curt Gibbs, Tiffany Goss, Phillip Lammonds, Don May, Billy Montana, Wil Nance, Molly Reed, Liz Sharpe, Bobby Tomberlin and Adam Wood.
Curb | Word has had success in 2019 with chart-topping hits that include Lee Brice’s “Rumor,” Brett Young’s “Here Tonight,” Dustin Lynch’s “Good Girl” and a Top 5 hit with Jon Pardi’s “Night Shift.”
The promotion follows the resignation of former Curb/Word Entertainment VP, Publishing Janine Appleton Ebach in September.
Brothers Osborne To Receive ASCAP’s Vanguard Award
/by Jessica NicholsonBrothers Osborne will be honored with the ASCAP Vanguard Award during the upcoming 57th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, set for Nov. 11 in Nashville.
The honor recognizes ASCAP members whose work is helping to mold the future of music. Previous recipients have included Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, St. Vincent, Third Day, Band of Horses and Sara Bareilles.
“John and TJ Osborne successfully honor the past and the future with their passionate country rock sound,” said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. “Together with John’s masterful guitar picking and TJ’s pitch-perfect baritone, they offer a fresh take on the modern country duo. We are thrilled to honor them with the ASCAP Vanguard Award.”
To date, the duo has earned a Gold album with 2016’s Pawn Shop, as well as the Platinum singles “It Ain’t My Fault” and “Stay A Little Longer.” On Oct. 11, they will release the live project Live at the Ryman, and are currently touring as part of Chris Stapleton’s The All American Road Show Tour.
Brothers Osborne is the reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year and are nominated in the category again this year for the upcoming CMA Awards on Nov. 13. They are also nominated for Single and Music Video of the Year, both for “Burning Man,” their collaboration with Dierks Bentley. They are also nominated for Musical Event of the Year for “All My Favorite People’ with Maren Morris. Brothers Osborne has earned four CMA trophies, five ACM trophies and are five-time Grammy nominees.
Industry Pics: Maren Morris, Kane Brown, ASCAP, BMI, The Recording Academy
/by Lorie HollabaughMaren Morris Celebrates Platinum In The Big Easy
(L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s COO/EVP Ken Robold and Chairman/CEO Randy Goodman, Maren Morris, and SMN SVP Sales/Streaming Caryl Atwood. Photo credit: Catherine Powell
Maren Morris was surprised with an RIAA Platinum certification plaque for her No. 1 hit “Girl” backstage following her performance at Miranda Lambert’s Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars tour stop at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans last Friday (Oct. 4). The Platinum hit was the lead single from Maren Morris’ sophomore album GIRL. Morris is the most-nominated artist for the 2019 CMA Awards airing on ABC on Nov. 13.
Plaque Attack For Kane Brown
(L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s Sr. Director Marketing Jennifer Way, VP Creative Services Tracy Fleaner and EVP A&R Jim Catino; Kane Brown; Sony Music Nashville’s COO/EVP Ken Robold and SVP Sales/Streaming Caryl Atwood; EFG Management’s Martha Earls and Brown’s producer Dann Huff Photo credit: Alex Alvga
Kane Brown was surprised late last week with four RIAA certification plaques while cutting vocals at Sound Stage studio on Music Row. In March, Brown’s sophomore album Experiment and its lead single “Lose It” were certified Gold and Platinum, respectively. Last week, “Good As You” was certified Platinum and Kane Brown’s current single “Homesick” was certified Gold.
ASCAP Brings Bluebird Vibe To Napa For Notes For Education
(L-R): Josh Mirenda, ASCAP’s Holly Chester, Hannah Dasher, Notes For Education’s Debi Leal, Jonathan Singleton, ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski Webber, Deric Ruttan. Photo: Ed Rode
Napa Valley and Nashville-based non-profit organization Notes For Education presented The Bluebird Cafe at Gargiulo Vineyards, a benefit for music education programs in local schools featuring an ASCAP hit songwriters round on Oct. 3. The event was hosted on the grounds of Gargiulo Vineyards. Sponsored by ASCAP, the event was set against a backdrop of the vineyard’s rolling hills at sunset, and the songwriters round featured ASCAP hitmakers Josh Mirenda, Deric Ruttan, Jonathan Singleton, and emerging Sony Music Nashville songwriter-artist Hannah Dasher.
BMI Brings A Taste Of Music City To Alabama
ARHA’s JB Hampton, BMI singer-songwriter Paul McDonald, ARHA’s Shea Perkins, Visit Mobile President & CEO David Clark, BMI singer-songwriter Tyler Reeve and BMI’s Jessica Frost pose together after the show in Mobile, Alabama.
BMI and the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association partnered together to bring Nashville songwriters to two BMI customer and ARHA member venues on the Alabama Coast last week. BMI singer-songwriters Tyler Reeve and Paul McDonald, both Alabama natives, performed to enthusiastic crowds at Alchemy in Mobile, Alabama, on Oct. 2, and GT’s On The Bay in Orange Beach, Alabama on Oct. 3.
Jim Cooper Celebrates District Advocate Day On The Row
(L-R): Musician Philip Towns, Musician Anderson East, musician, songwriter and record producer Shane McAnally, musician Caitlyn Smith, Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN), musician and member of Lady Antebellum Dave Haywood and President and CEO of The Recording Academy Deborah Dugan attend the District Advocate Meeting w/ Rep. Jim Cooper on October 02, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/WireImage for The Recording Academy )
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter hosted a District Advocate Day event, featuring Recording Academy president, Deborah Dugan, U.S. Representative Jim Cooper, Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood, and members of Nashville’s local music community, to celebrate Nashville’s role in music creation and highlight industry concerns. The event at RCA Studio A included performances by Shane McAnally, Caitlyn Smith, and Anderson East.